Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

The vendetta against Cardinal Pell

By John Young - posted Tuesday, 5 March 2019


Possibly there are men so twisted that they would take the awful risk that Dr Pell must have taken if he was guilty, but such a pervert would have been guilty of numerous offences over the years, and would have been found out long before reaching the Cardinal's present age of 77, especially if his enemies were out to get him for half his lifetime.

Not only that, but those who know the Cardinal know that he does not fit that description. Commentator Andrew Bolt, writing in the Melbourne newspaper the Herald Sun (February 27), gives the Cardinal's character as one reason why he cannot believe the charges. Bolt is not a Catholic and not even a Christian, but he is a fair-minded man whose sense of justice puts to shame those prominent Catholics who are condemning Cardinal Pell despite the evidence.

The accuser stated that the Cardinal was wearing his vestments when the attack occurred and that he moved them to expose himself, but the defence argued that this was not possible because of the way the robes were fastened.

Advertisement

A disturbing fact is that the accuser's identity has been kept secret. If it were known, possibly evidence would emerge throwing new light on the accusations. The whole case against the Cardinal rests on the testimony of one man. The jury evidently found him believable, but some people can lie very convincingly and some people suffer from delusions.

So Cardinal Pell was convicted on that testimony despite the very strong evidence in his favour. Any fair-minded person should see that a not guilty verdict should have been returned because, whether or not one agrees with my contention that the evidence shows beyond reasonable doubt that the Cardinal is innocent, it is absolutely certain that his guilt was not established beyond reasonable doubt.

An unnamed Melbourne priest said: "It is clear it is no longer possible for a Catholic priest to get a fair trial in this State".

It is reported that Cardinal Pell will be in solitary confinement at least for the present, because of the danger of assault by other prisoners. We must keep him in our prayers and pray that the unjust conviction will be overturned on appeal.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

This article is running in the current edition of The Wanderer.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

66 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

John Young is a Melbourne based writer on philosophical and theological topics.

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 66 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy